The picture only shows where water is trapped, not how it could get out (which requires knowledge of grade of the surrounding area.) Trees raise grade as they grow (due to ever enlarging roots) and the picture shows that might be the likeliest cause of ponding at the patio edge. Previous planting and mulching at the edge could also have contributed, as could have the existence of turf. It raises grade over time as well. The solution is to lower the grade surrounding the patio and allow the water to drain away (if this is possible) ... or, raise the grade of the patio, such as by installing a new surface over the old one (if this is possible. It depends how grades interface with the house.) Since you intend to install a new surface, that's probably the easiest way to deal with this problem.

This is an extremely common problem in new developments and landscapes. Even if the soil has been saved and placed back you've lost all of the "layering" of the soil that once had insect holes, pore spaces, and microbes working over it. In some landscape situations the soil will eventually "mellow out" and water will flow through it more rapidly. Expect the "ditch" to expand and contract as the soil settles into place. It could end up being a problem or it might not. Time will tell. Two to three years and you will know for sure. Every heavy rainfall mowing will be a pain even after the pore space issue is resolved. If you were able to pinpoint the low spot where the water collected you could put in a catch basin and tile with pop-up connector (but you could only take it to the edge of your property unless given permission). Best course of action would be for a rain garden but I doubt the development will allow you to do so if your neighbors do not have one. In my experience french drains work for a while.....but in time sediment fills them or in very heavy rain events they can even fill with water (depending on size of french drain). We see "grading experts" making mistakes all the time. They (not all inclusive but quite a few) tend to look at the start elevation and the finish elevation and if there is a drop that's good enough without taking into account every single property and the ups and downs that may be on them. Would be a great area to plant wet-soil tolerant ornamental grasses and perennials (or shrubs) with a rock going through the bottom of the ditch with landscape fabric underneath it. Could have stepping stones or boulders going across it for the kids! Bruce

Hi had a similar problem with mine i live in Palm Beach county I removed the grass from the backyard creating shrub palm islands Using gravel in the paths . Don't know about your soil but mine is mostly beach sand so drains easily if you don't block it I put gutters on the roof and direct it to the water gardens from there to marsh gardens then to the neighbors.lol It has worked well except when there was a 31 inch rain.!! Was collecting fish from the neighbors for weeks lol Summer is the rainy season so expect heavy rains !!! I'm almost 14 inches below normal this year so depending on the hose for my floods lol Good luck gary

I have contacted probably 10 companies in Atlanta and only 2 have called back. I have done this twice. The price is accurate. It appears we would spend that much. The two that have given quotes have different ideas on how it would be installed. *So far the old landscaper that installed the last sod installed a small drain and said that we didn't have an issue because the water drained out within a 24 hour period. *The first turf installer said that she would just have a lot of decomposed granite laid down and the water would just run under the layer and drain out fine. *The second said he would install a larger drain and then a bed around the drain to create a dry bed area. Obviously, I don't mind a little grading for the water but I did want it to be as flat as possible. The water is worse now. My husband says that it has washed a lot over the winter causing more issues. We just aren't sure how to repair it all. Seems like everyone has a different solution and we aren't sure who to believe. We have at this point considered installing a french drain ourselves and then putting a sod back in. I wonder if the dry well would be easier to install or work better than a french drain? The turf, while expensive, would solve the dog bringing in dirt and grass. This would be ideal but if I can't get more quotes I don't feel comfortable choosing that option since the first two are completely different in opinion on how to install it.